David Raya first joined Arsenal in the summer of 2023, quickly replacing Aaron Ramsdale as the Gunners’ first-choice goalkeeper. Manager Mikel Arteta was criticised for the decision at the time, so he was ready for it, but he argues that public responses have nothing to do with Ramsdale’s quality.
It’s rather the fact that he excluded the internationals in England, and I don’t think the response would have been the same if it was about players from other countries.
“No, I was very conscious about it. It was very clear that it would happen.”
Mikel Arteta on the backlash of replacing Aaron Ramsdale with David Raya pic.twitter.com/jf8jwof0gd
– Hyters TV (@hayterstv) September 12, 2025